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As the cold weather continues, local cinemas offer audiences a cosy space to venture into new worlds. Read on to discover how these engrossing and thoughtful stories can inspire young people and supplement the subjects and topics covered in their education.
New films out this month on the big screen include an adaptation of a much-loved children's graphic novel series, a documentary about a photographer working in apartheid South Africa, a bitter-sweet animation about growing up in foster care, a dramatization of a pivotal moment in broadcasting history, and a new generation of superhero movies.
Dog Man (U) - in cinemas 7 February
This action-packed animated comedy, based on the best-selling children's book series by Dav Pilkey, opens up conversations about family, friendship and embracing our differences. When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a wacky but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born. Dog Man is sworn not only to protect and serve,but also to fetch, sit and roll over. As Dog Man embraces his new identity and strives to impress the Chief of Police he must also stop the evil plots of feline supervillain Petey the Cat. However, will these hostile foes have to work together to fight an even bigger threat to their lives?
Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (15) - in cinemas 7 February
From the director of the critically-acclaimed film essay I Am Not Your Negro (available to watch on Into Film+ for free*), this rigorously researched documentary explores the life of Ernest Cole, the first Black freelance photographer in South Africa. When his work exposed the horror of South African apartheid to the world after he released his influential book ‘House of Bondage', Cole was exiled from the country and travelled the world but would die homesick for the place that he considered his spiritual homeland. Following his journey and examining his impact on global perception and photography, this film is a long-awaited and important testament to Ernest Cole's legacy.
September 5 (15) - in cinemas 7 February
This historical drama is based on the hostage crisis that marked the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. The film follows the events from the perspective of a TV crew from the US. They are broadcasting the games as scheduled, when they suddenly hear gunfire: a group of athletes from Israel is being held hostage by terrorists in the Olympic village. The sports journalists find themselves unexpectedly on the frontline of this breaking news story, having to adapt their reporting to live crisis coverage, with the whole world watching. By re-examining the chaotic turn of events, the film opens up a discussion on media ethics.
Captain America: Brand New World (12A) - in cinemas 14 February
This latest instalment of the superhero franchise is a continuation of Marvel Studios' series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and sees the former Falcon A.K.A Sam Wilson pick up the mantle of Captain America after The Avengers are disbanded. Sam meets with newly elected President of the United States Thaddeus Ross, who narrowly escapes a fatal attack following a security breach. Captain America must draw on his military air force background and superhero abilities to get to the bottom of what's really going on and try and stop an evil mastermind. Exploring themes of war and politics, comic book characters and moral values, this is a thrilling ride that further expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Memoir of a Snail (15) - in cinemas 14 February
Fresh from winning the top award at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, this gritty stop-motion claymation takes an emotional look at childhood, trauma and grief, uplifted by a sense of hopefulness and offbeat humour that will be engaging for mature young audiences. Grace is a young girl living in 1970s Australia alongside her twin brother, Gilbert. When their alcoholic father dies, the twins get separated as different foster families on opposite sides of the country take them in. Lonely and grieving, Grace forms an unexpected friendship with an eccentric old lady, Pinky, whose positivity and bizarre fascination with snails help to guide Grace through the difficulties in her life.
How Do I Get Started?
To access Into Film+, all you'll need is an Into Film Account - it's completely free, and only takes a moment to set up. Into Film+ is free to use for all UK state schools that hold a valid Public Video Screening (PVS) Licence from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia PVS Licences are paid for on behalf of schools by all local authorities in England and by some local authorities in both Wales and Scotland. Into Film NI cover the license cost for some schools in Northern Ireland. For further information on licensing in your locality please see our FAQs.
If you're a state school in England that's funded by the Department for Education, you will automatically have access to Into Film+ Premium, which offers an extended catalogue of 700+ titles. Find out more about Into Film+ Premium in our FAQs.
If you don't have a PVS Licence, or aren't already covered, then a licence can easily be obtained from Filmbankmedia.
Filmbankmedia
Filmbankmedia licenses and distributes film and TV entertainment to many groups and is the licensing authority we work with to ensure schools, libraries and youth groups have the permissions to screen films from our catalogue.
* Screenings for an entertainment or extra-curricular purpose require a PVS (Public Video Screening) Licence from Filmbankmedia. State-funded schools in England are covered by the PVS Licence.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
